On a warm spring day Peony rockii (Gansu Mudan Peonies) fills the garden with a wonderful perfume, it is easy care and will flower in part shade. So lets learn a little more about this great plant pick.
Paeonia rockii or ‘Rocks Peony’ is a tree peony variety from the Gansu province in northwest China. It was first recorded by Joseph Rock, and today is widely used in hybridisation.
With many hybrids and cultivars are available for sale the distinguishing factor is the dark purple flare at the base of each petal. They also happen to be a peony with excellent fragrance, strong growing and disease resistant.
In their natural environment they have been know to reach 3 metres (9ft) plus inn height with a similar spread.
The species is usually described as white flowering, semi double with deep purple flares. Fully double varieties are available are are pink and yellow flowering cultivars, all with the trademark flares.
Care
Peony rockii do like a well drained humus rich soil, much the same as other peonies, they differ in that they will flower in part shade, and in fact grow best in light afternoon shade.
In very hot positions, they can tend to lose their foliage earlier in summer and go into dormancy.
Planting Peony rockii
- Choose a position with some protection from the heat of the afternoon sun.
- Ensure that the soils well drained/
- Dig in good amounts of compost and aged cow manure.
- Plant at the same depth the plant was in its container.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run.
- Water in dry spring or winter periods to ensure good flower size.
- Fertilise with chicken manure or cow manure at the end of each winter and renew the mulch.
Peony rockii varieties are available for sale from the following participating nurseries
365 Lighthouse Rd Wynyard. TAS 7325
PH 03 6442 2012
email to: sales@vdqbulbs.com.au
www.vdqbulbs.com.au
Specialising in Rare and Unusual Peonies (American, Chinese, Japanese, Herbaceous & Itoh) and Brugmansia's. We also sell (hard to find) plants and bulbs.
Farm sales from September to December or by appointment (Marie) 0416 166 397
View us on eBay www.ebay.com.au/str/josies-joy for Mail Order
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au